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The Role of State Boards in Making Credentials' Value Transparent

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Bibliographic Details
Title: The Role of State Boards in Making Credentials' Value Transparent
Language: English
Authors: Scott Cheney
Source: State Education Standard. 2026 26(1).
Availability: National Association of State Boards of Education. 2121 Crystal Drive Suite 350, Arlington, VA 22202. Tel: 800-368-5023; Tel: 703-684-4000; Fax: 703-836-2313; e-mail: boards@nasbe.org; Web site: https://www.nasbe.org/category/the-standard/
Peer Reviewed: Y
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Descriptive
Descriptors: State Boards of Education, State Standards, Board of Education Role, Accreditation (Institutions), Student Certification, Accountability, Educational Certificates, Microcredentials, Disclosure, Access to Information
ISSN: 1540-8000
Abstract: There is no guaranteed, straightforward path to student success beyond high school and many blind alleys. Families and educators alike must prepare learners to navigate an overwhelming, confusing landscape of more than 1.8 million credentials: certificates, certifications, licenses, degrees, badges, apprenticeships, microcredentials, and more. Figuring out how to knit them all into efficient, successful career pathways that work for each student's interests, capabilities, and circumstances is even harder. To address these thorny challenges, states increasingly are including student attainment of credentials within their accountability frameworks. State boards of education, tasked with shaping standards and ensuring students' postsecondary readiness, are strongly positioned to help bring clarity and cohesion to this space. Just as they set the strategic direction for learning environments across the country, state boards of education can and should play a critical role in identifying credentials that truly advance economic mobility for learners. This article discusses how making economic mobility the north star for defining a credential of value allows state boards to cut through the noise of available credentials and focus state attention on those that demonstrably improve students' long-term prospects and career paths.
Abstractor: ERIC
Entry Date: 2026
Access URL: https://www.nasbe.org/the-role-of-state-boards-in-making-credentials-value-transparent/
Accession Number: EJ1498626
Database: ERIC
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  Data: National Association of State Boards of Education. 2121 Crystal Drive Suite 350, Arlington, VA 22202. Tel: 800-368-5023; Tel: 703-684-4000; Fax: 703-836-2313; e-mail: boards@nasbe.org; Web site: https://www.nasbe.org/category/the-standard/
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  Data: There is no guaranteed, straightforward path to student success beyond high school and many blind alleys. Families and educators alike must prepare learners to navigate an overwhelming, confusing landscape of more than 1.8 million credentials: certificates, certifications, licenses, degrees, badges, apprenticeships, microcredentials, and more. Figuring out how to knit them all into efficient, successful career pathways that work for each student's interests, capabilities, and circumstances is even harder. To address these thorny challenges, states increasingly are including student attainment of credentials within their accountability frameworks. State boards of education, tasked with shaping standards and ensuring students' postsecondary readiness, are strongly positioned to help bring clarity and cohesion to this space. Just as they set the strategic direction for learning environments across the country, state boards of education can and should play a critical role in identifying credentials that truly advance economic mobility for learners. This article discusses how making economic mobility the north star for defining a credential of value allows state boards to cut through the noise of available credentials and focus state attention on those that demonstrably improve students' long-term prospects and career paths.
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      – Text: English
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      – SubjectFull: State Boards of Education
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      – SubjectFull: State Standards
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Board of Education Role
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Accreditation (Institutions)
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      – SubjectFull: Student Certification
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      – SubjectFull: Accountability
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Educational Certificates
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Microcredentials
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Disclosure
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Access to Information
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      – TitleFull: The Role of State Boards in Making Credentials' Value Transparent
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